Bears DT in court March 15 on probation violation

	Tank Johnson appeared in court on allegations that he violated his probation on a 2005 gun charge on Dec. 22, 2006. AP

After two arrests on gun charges and another for assaulting a police officer, prosecutors in Chicago have had enough of Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson. At a court hearing on March 15, they will ask that Johnson be jailed for a probation violation, SI.com has learned.

According to a source deeply involved in the situation, Cook County prosecutors will tell Judge John J. Moran Jr. that Johnson has used up his chances and belongs behind bars. Other sources, including lawyers who have appeared before the same judge in similar situations, say a jail term is probable and could range from 30 days to 90 days.

The sources requested anonymity because they are not permitted to comment on pending litigation and because some had other cases pending before Judge Moran.

Johnson has been confined to his home in a Chicago suburb since Dec. 22, when he made his first appearance before Moran on the charge of violating his probation. He has been permitted to leave his home only for Bears practices and for the Super Bowl in Miami on Feb. 4.

Johnson had six months remaining on his 18-month probation sentence when a police SWAT team raided his house on Dec. 14, and according to police found six unregistered guns and more than 500 rounds of ammunition. The guns in the house were a violation of a previous probation sentence on another gun charge. The first charge came when Johnson was caught with a loaded 9 mm handgun in his car outside a Chicago nightclub in June 2005.

In the raid, the police also reportedly found Johnson's pal, Willie Posey, in the basement of Johnson's house with a stash of marijuana. It was bad enough that Posey was a convicted felon, another probation violation for Johnson. It became much worse for Johnson when Posey was shot to death two nights after the raid shortly after Johnson and Posey entered a Chicago nightclub known to be a notorious gang hangout.

The assault charge against Johnson was the result of an altercation that began at 3 a.m. on Feb 12, 2006, on Chicago's Rush Street when Johnson discovered police officers towing his double-parked limousine. Yelling and screaming at the officers, Johnson said, according to police reports, "You're ain't the only one with a Glock. If you didn't have that gun and badge, I'd kick your ass." The misdemeanor charges of assaulting an officer and resisting arrest were dismissed when all three arresting officers failed to appear in court for a mandatory hearing.

In an earlier hearing, Johnson and his attorney, Lorna Propes, presented evidence of the devastating impact a jail sentence would have on Johnson's career in the NFL. Don Johnson, the Bears defensive line coach described Johnson's work with the Bears and the possible end of his playing days if he went to jail.

They'll argue on March 15 that Johnson should receive community service rather than being sent to jail. Propes has arranged with authorities for Johnson to do motivational speaking and physical training for teen boys sentenced to boot camp in Lake County, Ill. Propes will suggest that Johnson would be a positive influence on juvenile boys who are in trouble.